KANSAS CITY, Mo. — The comparisons are there for Chiefs rookie running back Brashard Smith.

In fact, they’ve been there for a while.

After three seasons as a receiver with minimal production at Miami, Smith hit the transfer portal in 2023 and reconnected with Rhett Lashlee, the head coach at SMU who was formerly the Hurricanes’ offensive coordinator. Lashlee sold Smith on making a move to the Mustangs with the catch that he’d switch positions and become SMU’s version of Chiefs running back Isiah Pacheco.

Consider the similarities: Pass-catching prowess. Quickness. Seventh-round draft picks. And now — one year later — teammates.

But at rookie minicamp Sunday, Smith didn’t compare himself to any NFL running backs. Instead, Smith was ready to set himself apart on his second day of initiation to the Chiefs’ playbook.

“I’m going to show who I am,” he said.

“There are not a lot of running backs that have receiving skills and running back skills. So I feel like just coming in and I can contribute for sure with my skill set.”

Head coach Andy Reid was on the same page, saying he “probably hasn’t seen enough” of Smith to compare him to anyone else.

“Some of the backs have a low center of gravity; they can kind of move where they can drop their weight a little bit,” Reid said. “It looks like he has that, now nobody has hit him, so it will be a little different story there. And it looks like he has good hands.”

Graded as a fourth- or fifth-round prospect by The Athletic’s Dane Brugler, the Chiefs selected Smith with their last pick in the 2025 NFL Draft, No. 288. Director of player personnel/college scouting Ryne Nutt said the Chiefs had Smith higher on their boards, but they used their fifth-round pick on linebacker Jeff Bassa, who they considered the best fit available at the time.

From there, Kansas City turned its attention toward selecting a running back to complete the draft class. The Chiefs signed Elijah Mitchell in free agency to add to a running back tandem led by Pacheco and Kareem Hunt. But the draft added another layer of reinforcements, particularly as Pacheco and Mitchell recover from injuries.

Nutt said Smith’s strength and toughness as a runner in his 5-foot-10, 194-pound build stood out. His dual-threat ability as a receiver was an obvious plus, “but his balance and contact strength are sneaky good,” Nutt said. Smith’s 4.39-second 40 was the third-fastest among running backs at this year’s NFL Scouting Combine.

“Talent-wise, there’s no reason this kid shouldn’t help us at some point this season,” Nutt said last week. “Our coaches are going to be very willing and able to work with him to get him into roles where he can help us.”

Smith showed his versatility as a senior at SMU. In 2024, he was the only FBS player with at least 1,300 yards rushing, 300 yards receiving and 300 kick-return yards. His 1,977 all-purpose yards ranked No. 4 in the FBS behind Ashton Jeanty (first-round pick), Cam Skattebo (fourth-round pick) and Omarion Hampton (first-round pick). Smith was immediately impactful despite adjusting to a new scheme and playing a new position (though he did play running back in youth football and high school).

Smith participated in punt return drills Sunday and was modestly involved in team drills. He made a solid catch along the sideline from quarterback Chris Oladokun during the 7-on-7 period.

“Getting everything down as far as the playbook, I feel like it will come natural,” Smith said. “The first time (I looked at it) I was like, ‘Whoa,’ but just taking it day by day, it gets better.”

It doesn’t come naturally to all, but Smith said his adaptability could work to his advantage as he transitions to the NFL and leaves comparisons behind him.

“Being in different systems, being in different offenses, that helped me out,” Smith said. “I expected to come in and just learn.”